How To Handle Your First Speeding Ticket
When you are pulled over for speeding for the first time, you might find the experience to be frightening. However, it doesn't have to be. In some cases, you might not even receive a speeding ticket. It's important to be calm and to follow the process of receiving your first speeding ticket in the right way.
Comply with the Officer
Pull over immediately when a police officer turns on the siren. If you need to drive to find a safe place to park, you can do so. The police officer will not necessarily be pulling you over, but you'll always want to pull over when you see a siren to at least get out of the way.
The officer will usually ask for your license and proof of insurance. In most states, you are required to surrender your license. In some states, the police officer does not even need probable cause to ask for your driver's license.
Do not try to argue with the police officer. Arguing with a police officer will never help you and may even lead to additional charges in extreme cases. The best place to argue your case is at court with the help of a speeding ticket attorney.
You will usually be asked to sign the ticket. In some states, you can choose not to sign. Other states have made it a misdemeanor to fail to sign a speeding ticket, and you may even be arrested.
Don't Ignore the Speeding Ticket
If you ignore a speeding ticket, you can suffer from a series of consequences. You might be forced to pay increased fines, get points on your record and face the suspension of your license. The courts might even issue a warrant for your arrest.
To fight the ticket in court, you'll need to attend your scheduled court appearance. The prosecutor will need to prove that you were speeding to enforce the speeding ticket. You will be given an opportunity to present your case. Then, the judge will make a final determination of whether you were in violation of speeding laws.
With your first speeding ticket, you might be able to avoid having the speeding incident on your record if you pay the fine and if you don't commit other traffic infractions. However, you always have the option to fight your speeding ticket in court with a speeding ticket attorney.
To learn more, contact a speeding ticket attorney.